The Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has disclosed that its late President General, Prof George Obiozor spoke emotionally about the candidacy of Peter Obi before passing on.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide made this disclosure in a statement signed by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Alex Ogbonnia.
While making the disclosure, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo nation in the statement expressed grief over the death of Prof Obiozor.
Recall Governor Hope Uzodimma on Wednesday announced the death of the former Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S., aged 80.
The group’s reaction to Obiozor’s death made available to newsmen in Owerri, on Thursday stated that Ohaneze received the news of the PG’s passing “with a heart overtaken by pain and sorrow”.
Ogbonnia in the statement described Obiozor as “a prodigy and an enigma of some sort, an erudite, reflective scholar of world renown and a prophetic intellectual”.
He further described him as an “astute, resourceful administrator, sagacious phebian, political submarine, seasoned diplomat, cultural reservoir, detribalised patriot and jovial cerebral discussant”.
He also stated that “the most endearing of the Obiozor’s mystique could be summarised in character; the courage of his convictions, steadfastness and uncompromising commitment to his goals”.
The statement added that the deceased demonstrated his unassailable commitment to the Igbo people.
It stated: “Obiozor will be remembered as a man who displayed an uncommon intellect, irrepressible courage, candor, tolerance, large heart and equanimity. He sacrificed his personal comfort in the service of Igbo nation.
“Obiozor was sometimes misrepresented and misunderstood because of the silent cautious strategy and tactics with which he pursued his goals.
“But behind the great achiever was an uncommon and perfect gentleman of immense proportion. The Obiozor life trajectory is one of the most enviable.
“He started as a child in Awo-Omamma in Imo, went to the USA for further studies, acquired a Doctor of Philosophy, taught in world class universities and promoted to a professor of International Relations.”
Ogbonnia recalled that during the last meeting of the group’s National Executive Committee in Owerri “Obiozor spoke emotionally about the candidacy of Peter Obi”.
“He pointed out that it would have been a major catastrophe, if Obi were not in the race. Above all, Obiozor in his first world press conference as the President General assured the Igbo that time had come for the age-long collective aspiration of a Nigerian president from the South-East of Nigeria,” he stated.
He noted that the global academic community has lost a lot with the passing of Obiozor.
Ogbonnia further remarked that Obiozor stood out among his peers “for his unique intellectual wizardry, profound sense of humour, extraordinary creative imagination, rationality, clear-headedness, unwavering determination and incandescent passion”.
The group condoled with the deceased wife, children and his immediate family.
“We take solace in the fact that when a chronicle of Igbo personages will be launched, some leaders will appear in footnotes while some chapters will be devoted to Prof. George Obiozor,” it added.
TNG reports Obiozor served Nigeria in various capacities, including being the Director General, Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos and Ambassador to Israel and Cyprus.
He also led the Igbo delegation to the 2014 National Constitutional Conference. He was elected the group’s PG on Feb. 9, 2021.
Obiozor’s death great loss to Nigeria – Peter Obi
Meanwhile, the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi has described the death of the President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Prof. George Obiozor as a great loss to Nigeria.
Obi, who said this via his Twitter handle on Thursday, expressed sadness over the news of Obiozor’s death.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor.
“He was a dear elder brother and friend.
“Prof. Obiozor was a patriot, renowned academic and diplomat, who served Nigeria and Ohanaeze selflessly and diligently.
“He was witty, well-heeled in history and effusive in his personal charm and warmth.
“The death of this foremost Igbo leader is a huge loss to the entire Obiozor family, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Nigerians in general.
“On behalf of my family, I commiserate with his family and all who mourn him,” he said.
Obi prayed God to grant him eternal rest and those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo announced Obiozor’s death in a statement on Wednesday night.
Obiozor, who died at the age of 80, was elected the 10th president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo on Jan. 9, 2021to succeed Nnia Nwodo who exited the office after the expiration of his four-year tenure.
The late Obiozor hailed from Awo-Omamma in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo.